NATIONAL LUTHERAN HEALTH & MEDICAL BOARD/UELCI
A Brief Report
It’s a great pleasure to share the report of the National Lutheran Health and Medical
Board for the year 2006 with all of you. We thank God for his guidance and blessings on
all the work of the NLHMB and the support for our work from all our well wishers.
National Lutheran Health and Medical Board (NLHMB),was set up in 1986 as the
health care, education and development ministry of the UELCI .The support and
cooperation of the member churches has enabled NLHMB to expand its activities in
many parts of the country and in many different target groups including dalits, tribals,
and PLWHAs(people living with HIV/AIDS). NLHMB has in turn been able to build the
capacity of the member churches in mission hospital management, Education,HIV/AIDS,
Disaster management etc.
The Community Health-HIV/AIDS wing was the first church based program in the field
to be recognised by the Govt. of Tamilnadu. In fact, as you all know, the Govt. has
supported NLHMB for Church Leaders Training Programme. NLHMB is also one of the
few organisations in the country that is offering hospital care, surgery, and support for
people living with HIV. We have built the capacity of Lutheran General Hospital,
Rajamundry to this end, in addition to setting up three health centres for the PLWHAs.
The educational wing has successfully established the Martin Luther Christian University
whose programs have received immense response from the tribal population in
Meghalaya. In addition the Lutheran University is being set up to address the needs of
the tribal population in Chhattisgarh. A community research ,education and training
center has also been set up for research and training to build capacity of vulnerable
groups and churches.
NLHMB has a history of responding to emergencies and disasters since 1996. But, after
the Super Tsunami 2004 NLHMB’s Academy for Disaster Management Education
Planning and training has established itself as a regional resource, having delivered
timely and professional relief and rehabilitation to Disaster affected communities in
Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
The activities in brief for the last one year are as follows:
AIDS DESK (AIDS INDIA)
Over the past one year AIDS Desk of National Lutheran Health and Medical Board has
gained an important place in the NGO and Faith based Groups map of India as we have
made significant strides in our response to AIDS situation in India.
With a sharpened vision and objectives our work encompasses the following
A. CARE AND SUPPORT
Provision of preventive, curative and rehabilitative Health care to more than 3000
families through hospitals, clinic and mobile services in Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu
Gurukul clinic continues to function at Chennai. We have a doctor, two counselors and
health workers attached to this clinic. The services provided include HIV testing with pre
and post test counseling, treatment of opportunistic infections, subsidized ARV care and
emergency health care. Nearly 110 patients come to the clinic every month. Sick patients
who need referral care or other economic / educational services are sent to other centres
with whom we collaborate.
We started a Drop in Centre where PLHAs (people living with HIV/AIDS) or individuals
belonging to specific vulnerable group could find space to rest, receive counseling and
move on.
We conducted 6 general medical camps in the current year in different parts of the city.
One camp was conducted in Pudhunagar in February. Three medical camps were
organized in Ambattur village in September 2006. About 400 to 500 people were present
in each camp to receive treatment and medicines. In November, a camp was conducted in
Muthamil Nagar and another camp was conducted in Triplicane in December. Awarenss
program accompany Medical camps.
The Lutheran General Hospital at Rajahmundry is a 100 bedded hospital which also
cares for the PLHAs. General patients are treated at this hospital and it has been
upgraded to provide both medical and surgical services. We have one of the best surgical
facilities especially for the people living with HIV in the area. More than 50 surgeries
have been conducted in the past year. The hospital also undertook caesarian sections for
PLHA women in the past year. We have three specialized doctors who extend their
efficient service to this hospital. The PLHAs are admitted for care in the 10-bedded ward
which is specifically provided for them. Counseling and testing is done free of cost at the
hospital. Subsidised ARV is also given. The hospital is approved by the Government as a
referral centre for free distribution of Anti Tuberculosis drugs (DOTS) in that region.
Community health outreach is organized focusing on Reproductive Health Care. We are
happy to say that the attendance in this hospital has immensely increased day-by-day
because of the caring and friendly atmosphere in the hospital. We also do a lot of
networking with governmental and non-governmental agencies which is another reason
for this trend.
On World AIDS Day, a Caesarean section was done close to midnight for a PLHA
parturient. The surgery was very difficult to perform in view of her previous surgeries
and a baby girl was successfully delivered without any complications. The operation was
done by Dr. Veronica and Anesthesia conducted by Dr. Arun, Medical Superintendent.
The following picture shows the patient and doctors at the recovery room.
Responding to the growing need of the region, we have inaugurated a new centre at
Chilakaluripet in Andhra Pradesh, to render services to the PLHAs (people living with
HIV/AIDS). There is a ten bedded hospital with ARV treatment and other testing facilities
provided. 142 positive patients came to the centre in November. A Drop in Center is also
started for the PLHAs or individuals belonging to vulnerable groups to find a space for
rest and counselling. Presence of a center will enhance more reaching out to the
community in building awareness and education about the challenges of HIV/AIDS. This
centre works with the extensive support of the church as well as local government
agencies and NGOs. We are looking forward to develop this centre into a full fledged
centre that caters to the needs and challenges of the PLHAs.
Nutrition support is provided to PLHA families through the support of local Government
and other agencies. More than25 children who are either infected or affected are also
cared for.
Special medical camps are conducted on second Saturdays in Rajahmundry , second
Thursdays at Chlaklauripet and on Second Fridays at Guntur. These are attended by
around 600 patients in total on a regular basis. They are given special counseling and
drugs at these camps. A special camp for those on ARV is also conducted in one of these
centres, to cater to their special needs.
Medical Camps
Medical camps are organized every second Friday where we come across new positives.
This is also a time for many to get free treatment and medicine and other nutritional
supplements. The patients are given information on ARV and its uses and also the need to
lead a healthy life. Free CD4 tests are also given for PLHAs.
Home based Care
We visit the serious patients in their homes , and look after their health and home needs.
Irregular patients and families are motivated to come and seek healthcare.
Seven PLHAs in Chennai were trained as basic health workers and they provide primary
health care services and specifically HIV prevention and referral service in three urban
slums.
Another ten positive volunteers in Guntur visit homes of PLHAS to render support and
provide information to cope with their lives
Training for Registered Medical Practitioners
50 RMPs were motivated to refer HIV/AIDS patients to the hospitals and to other
networks that deal with specific services.
B. Rehabilitation/ Economic self reliance through skills and capacity building to
infected and affected persons.
We are delighted that we could actually start a Rehabilitation Centre called Sneghidi
which in Tamil means, a friend. The purpose of the centre is to rehabilitate the PLHA
women or to provide employable skills to anyone belonging to their family. Right now we
have the printing press, a tailoring unit and a computer centre as part of this project.
At least 20 women are being trained here in the past year. We are glad that they have
become skilled enough to print most of our own stationery. The first batch of tailoring
training has been completed in December. Agencies like Lions club and World vision
have offered sewing machines to them on completion of the training. Our trainees are
well accepted in other job placements. We hope to make this centre self sustaining. There
are three women in computer training .
In Andhra Pradesh 10 affected women were provided training as nurse aide. 15 Women
are trained in candle making. They find orders to market their products.
Bamboo Art & Craft Training to PLHAs was started on the 5th of September 2006 at
Lutheran Counseling & Health Care Centre, Guntur. With twelve trainees .They have
produced beautiful items.
15 PLHAs (women) are trained as nurse aides who can help in the hospital as well as in
doing home health care. Some are also receiving training in tailoring.
Loans are arranged through CHARCA, (a unit of State AIDS Control Society), to eight
positive women to start small business ventures. HAPPEN and local Government bodies
such as Mandal Praja Parishads were instrumental in availing these facilities. Child care
facility was given to children.. Positive women were provided animal husbandry through
other NGOs towards an alternative livelihood. Initiatives were made to avail widow
pensions for the positive women.
C Lobbying, and networking at regional and national levels on the right to health care
for PLHAs.
Networking
We bring together a Network of Positive People on every second Saturday and provide
counseling, spiritual comfort as well as help them to analyse their own problems and
seek help. An average of 50 PLHAs attend this meeting
The Network of NGOs and CBOs working on HIV/AIDS also gather in our campus at
least once in 3 months. We responded to their request to train their representatives in
basic counseling skills. We also arranged a session on fundamental rights and personal
laws to educate the leaders on taking advocacy issues for PLHAs.
Hope Arpana Positive People Effective Network (HAPPEN) is a network of positive
people in Guntur District strengthened with the support of NLHMB. This network
consists of more than 2000 members. This network aims to bring awareness about
HIV/AIDS in the society, to educate and empower the PLHAs to live positively and to
lobby and advocate the cause of PLHA especially with regard to human rights,.
International Day of Women was celebrated on the 11th of March 2006 with women
PLHA. Children’s Day was celebrated along with the support Group meeting on 11 of
November, 2006. For Christmas some of UELCI Staff had a get together with them on
22nd December. Gifts were distributed to Snegidhi friends and their families.
Advocacy
Advocacy and Lobbying are done to assist and support the PLHAs who are
discriminated. Network of positive people meet regularly. The support of H.A.P.P.E.N
and other local agencies enhances the availability of maximum resources.
One of the major concerns that the people affected with HIV/AIDS face today is the
stigma, and discrimination to access to medical treatment and care. The PLHAs stand in
need of support and advocacy in areas like right to employment, social equality and
acceptance, right to property, marriage, health care, and respect in society. Educating
the public is yet another urgent responsibility. AIDS DESK work with other PLHA
networks to see that justice is rendered to PLHAs in their day to day life.
At Guntur center, we have an advocacy unit, Adharna which addresses all sorts of
discrimination that the PLHAs face. Recently, a positive woman getting medicine at the
Lutheran Counseling and Health Care Centre lost her husband. Later, she was beaten up
and thrown out of the house. She had to stay in an orphanage with her nine year old
daughter who is also an HIV positive. Adharna helped her to receive her property.
There have been some negative responses to this centre because of the stigma attached to
a centre for the PLHAs. But we hope that, gradually, the community will recognize the
need for such an initiative and support this venture.
We also succeeded in lobbying with the Human Rights Commission on improving health
care for PLHA at Guntur General Hospital and on reducing/waiving the fee for CD4
testing
D. Prevention & strengthening church response



Training of Pastors and seminarians
Developing curriculum for theological seminaries
Publication of health education materials
Training of Pastors an seminarians
The church and theological institutions seem to be silent on issues of sexuality, HIV/AIDS
testing and the need to take care of the infected. We conduct capacity building training
for Church leaders, seminary students as well youth and women so that they may take
seriously the ministry among the PLHAs
One day training workshop was conducted for the Arcot Lutheran Church youth in
Kalrayan Hills which was attended by fifteen youth.
Training of Trainers was conducted in Andhra Christian Theological College and
Karnataka Theological Seminary for seminary students. These trainings were well
appreciated and students have come up with meaningful liturgies and songs that are
helpful for worship. Special efforts are being made to introduce a curriculum on
HIV/AIDS in the Gurukul Theological Seminary. A street theatre group is formed with the
students of Gurukul Theological College to do awareness programs in various churches
and seminaries. Thanks to the effort of our consultant and the team, the first Bible for
PLHAs will be released in January 2007.
Training of Trainers was also conducted for pastors at Lalpuram, Guntur, and many are
motivated to work with HIV positives after this training.
We observed world AIDS Day by having a special worship with UELCI staff and
seminary community who are the immediate neighbors of PLHAs who works in the
rehabilitation centre . AIDS DESK has joined Gurukul Seminary in organizing World
Aids Day
Publication, Research & Documentation
Research is under way to identify the needs of PLHAs to offer the maximum care and
support.
Brochures are made in English and Tamil about the basic information on HIV/AIDS and
also Guidelines for better living and care for HIV infected persons. Training modules are
developed for Pastors and church workers. Efforts are also being made to develop
modules on Gender and HIV/AIDS.
We are working on a Condensed Bible with reflections for Christian PLHA- Ronnie’s
Bible which will be released in January. Theological reflections for Pastors , community
workers and Health care providers are also being developed.
We have also developed a curriculum for Gurukul Theological seminary, and expect it to
be adopted shortly. Interfaith platform is essential to bring a change in the society at
large, and this is one more area we are looking into.
Conclusion
Our team consists of about 35 persons altogether and we are thankful for the commitment
and dedication shown by each of them. This is crucial for work among PLHA. With
God’s abundant grace, we look forward to a day when we will be proud of the way in
which the Church has absorbed this service in their vision for the Lord’s kingdom here
on earth.
II. EDUCATIONAL
Martin Luther Christian University Opens Its Doors
Martin Luther Christian University was created in 2005 by Act of the Legislative
Assembly of Meghalaya and was notified by the Government of Meghalaya on February
22, 2006. MLCU is the first Christian university in India, the capstone to more than two
centuries of Christian education in this country. Sponsored by the National Lutheran
Health and Medical Board of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of India and the
Khasi-Jaintia Presbyterian Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of India, the university
will provide educational opportunities in one of the most underdeveloped regions of
India.
The opening of MLCU was marked by a Thanksgiving Service held at the English
Presbyterian Church in Shillong on July 30, 2006. The service featured speakers from
the sponsoring bodies and the university administration and the sermon was delivered by
Rev RP Lyngdoh, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of India. The service was
attended by the staff, students, parents, members of the public and representatives of the
Government of Meghalaya. The Orientation Program was held from July 27-August 2
2006.
The Motto of the University
The motto “The Light of Truth” reflects the character and contribution of the Father of
the Reformation, after whom the university is named. “Because the light of truth long
since extinct on earth, God again roused up in this age through Martin Luther”. Georg
Fabricius (1516-1571), a poet, historian, and archaeologist spoke these words as a
eulogy to Martin Luther.
The Emblem of the University
The logo was created by using symbolic and artistic elements contributed by participants
in the logo competition, in which members of the public were invited to participate. The
frame of the logo is a knup, a woven cane cape worn by rural folk for protection from
rain and sun. The cross represents the abiding symbol of Christianity and the rays
emanating from the cross symbolizes truth. The burning logs is a depiction of the
fireplace in every home in Meghalaya, around which the family gathers and the elders
instruct the children about the traditions and etiquette of our culture. The large monoliths
at the sides represent the stone memorials that commemorate historic occasions and the
burial of eminent persons.
A Development University
The university recognizes its opportunity and responsibility to contribute to the
sustainable development of the region, participating in school education, health care,
information and communication networks, agrisciences, environmental protection,
disaster education, peace studies and developmental projects. The university will
collaborate with government, NGOs, community organizations, self-help groups and
industry to catalyze the development of the community.
Affirmative Action
In consonance with its stated profile as a development university, MLCU will follow a
policy of affirmative action towards the development of the state. Some of the specific
implications of this policy are listed below:





Preference is given to the recruitment of qualified local faculty, as they will be
most suited to contribute to the teaching and the developmental research
priorities of the university. This will also build higher education manpower for
the region.
All eligible student applicants will be granted admission and special remedial and
supplementary learning will be offered to those who need it.
Research priorities will address the social and developmental concerns of the
state and region.
Participation and activism in relevant social and developmental issues
Influence the creating of new employment and entrepreneurship opportunities
Academic Programs Started in 2006
The first academic year commenced on July 27, 2006, with 215 students enrolled in the
following courses.
Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology
Bachelor of Science Medical Imaging Technology
Bachelor of Science in Surgical Technology
Bachelor of Science in Optometry
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Computer Applications
Master of Social Work
Master of Science in Counselling Psychology
Master of Arts in Christian Management
The Complementary Curriculum
To prepare students for the world of work and their role as global citizens, a
complementary curriculum is being provided to all undergraduate students. It has six
components: English communication, computer skills, career skills, entrepreneurship,
social skills and community skills. The social skills curriculum will include life skills,
leadership and teamwork, stress management, problem analysis and solving, HIV/AIDS
and addiction and other areas. The community skills curriculum will include education,
healthcare, environment, development, disaster and peace studies.
During the
orientation, the students were introduced to these topics by eminent speakers.
Emphasis on Skills and Experiential Development
All courses will feature hands-on skills development modules in each academic year at
practice schools to acquire real-life expertise in the discipline. Each semester will
include a weeklong field project to familiarize students with the world of work. The
examinations will not measure rote learning but emphasize analytical and practical
skills. All examination answer papers will be returned to students and the marking will be
used as a tool for learning in the week following examinations. Marks and grades will be
based more on fieldwork, assignments and seminars, emphasizing individual learning
rather than examinations.
Preparing Our Students for Their Chosen Careers
The orientation program
The orientation introduced students to the background and mission of the new university,
highlighting its character as a Christian institution and the unique cultural context of
Meghalaya and Northeast India. Leaders of the sponsoring churches spoke at the
opening session and later presentations included representatives of development NGOs
and professionals from the health sciences, social sciences, management and computer
sciences. Prior learning and readiness for university were evaluated for the freshman
class as a cohort and for individual students.
Workshop on career choices
SHINE, a one-day workshop on career choices was conducted by Consultant
Psychologists Group, Bangalore. SHINE, is a career education program
developed specifically for Indian students. The team administered standardized aptitude
tests, interest inventories, group activities and psychological games. The program
facilitated self-discovery and helped the student identify personal talents and aptitudes.
Appropriate university course choices for the new students were recommended. Students
were permitted to change their course choices based on the testing and counseling.
Field projects
Included in each semester is a one-week field project that will provide exposure to the
world of work in the students chosen discipline. The field project for the first semester
will be a survey of industrial, healthcare, government and other organizations that offer
health, computer, management services.
The Faculty
English
Eva Giri
Sanda Lyngwa
Health Sciences
Bonnie Nichol
Jennifer War
Medical staff of KJP Synod Hospital
Medical staff of Bansara Eye Clinic
Computer Applications
Jezreel Wahlang
Patrick Syiem
Larilin Kharpuri
Management
Marina Marwein
Sairabell Kurbah
Jovita Tariang
Social Work/Counselling
Luch Kharkongor
Iadalin Rapthap
Badrity Diengdoh
Angela Kharshiing
Academic Partners



TRADA, Kottayam, Kerala for collaboration in the social work and counseling
psychology disciplines.
Christian Institute of Management, Chennai, Tamilnadu for collaboration in the
MA Christian Management
Centre for Dalit/Subaltern Studies for collaboration in PhD studies
First semester highlights
Field projects
All departments organized a field project on October 10-12, 2006. The BBA students did
a survey on the current issues on soft drinks. The BCA students surveyed the hardware
stores in the city. The allied health sciences students did a survey on the hospitals and
diagnostic centers in Shillong. The MSW and MScCP students have two days of
fieldwork each week at several NGOs dealing with various social issues.
University week
The staff and students celebrated University Week from November 6-10, 2006. The fun
and festivities included sports, debates and music and a faculty picnic at Mawphlang.
Lutheran University:
The letter of intent has been received to establish Lutheran University in the state of
Chhatisgarh according to the provision of Chhattisgarh Private Universities
(establishment and Operation) Act 2005(no.13 of 2005).
The Lutheran University is a collaborative project of Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Madhya Pradesh and National Lutheran Health and Medical board.
The campus is being developed at Baikunthpur around 300 KM away from Raipur the
capital of Chhattisgarh .Hopefully we will be able to start the courses by the next
academic year i.e.July 2007.
III. Academy for Disaster Management ,Education, Planning and Training (ADEPT)
Academy for Disaster management ,Education,Planning and Training(ADEPT)
celebrated the first anniversary of its mission of knowledge management and resource
facilitation in disaster management on January 3,2006.
Since its inception Adept has grown from a tsunami medical relief project control
room,into a team of professional working in areas of disaster medical relief,psychosocial
intervention,recovery and reconstruction,training and development.
CUDDALORE TSUNAMI AFFECTED COMMUNITIES:
Health activities:
The field hospital at Devanampattinam, Cuddalore has shifted to a new place provided
by the Arcot Lutheran Church . The Health Centre was set up with out patient, day care,
and outreach activities (including Medical Camps) in June 2005. The Centre has
completed 16 months of operations in Cuddalore District by 4 June 2006. Till date
around 90,576 villagers (40% Male and 60% Female out of which 30% were children)
received treatment at the field hospital and outreach camps. .
In continuation of the work initiated, . The centre handles an average of 120 to 200
patients per day, a large number from Tsunami affected regions. Health awareness
Counselling is also given and about 1200 patients benefit per week. A Health passport
with all basic details for promoting healthy living in villages is being produced.
In addition, village outreach camps were conducted in all the 51 Tsunami affected
coastal villages in Cuddalore district. Currently the focus of the outreach camps is
women, children, aged and disabled. Twelve special eye camps have been conducted in
tsunami affected villages and more than 350 cataract surgeries have been performed with
Arvind eye hospital. World sight day was celebrated on 12 Sep 2006 in collaboration
with the District administration, Blindness Control Society, and Aravind eye hospital and
all patients who had undergone surgery were facilitated and evaluated. A large number
of them who had had one eye operated on, have now opted to be operated on the second
eye. 12 Combined Child to child Medical camps were conducted in schools with psycho
social activities like health awareness, counselling, Puppet shows and street theatre.
Capacity Building :
NLHMB-ADEPT has undertaken capacity building of Churches in all its activities. In the
initial phase of the Tsunami 200 pastors were trained on Counseling. Subsequently
students of the Theological college,Nagercoil and students of Gurukul have undergone
community exposure field training at NLHMB-ADEPT’s projects. NLHMB-ADEPT built
the capacity of St. Joseph’s hospital Barabullah,Jammu & Kashmir to deal with the
healthcare crisis in the aftermath of the quake. NLHMB-ADEPT now plans to undertake
Disaster Preparedness Training in all the 11 Churches of the UELCI.
NLHMB-ADEPT has set up 17 Community support Centers covering 30 villages in
Cuddalore district. Each Center is being run by Young women (CSL) from the village
who have been empowered by NLHMB-ADEPT. The 25 Trained CSLs, are carrying out
the following capacity building programs.
Skill Building:
Street Theatre Training
Farmers Training:
Candle Making Training
Beautician Training
Video& Photography Training for Youth
Pickle Making Training
Puppetry Training
Participatory Rural Appraisal and Vulnerability Training
Nutrition and Health Inputs Training
Adolescent Girls Training
C.S.Ls Training on Govt. schemes for Women and Children
Computer Literacy for adolescent girls
Nutrition Food Production Training
 Adolescent Girls’ Life Skills Education
 Women and Youth Leadership Development
 Healthy Village Development. Village Developmemnt committees are being
formed in all the villages with a perspective on Dalit, and Women’s rights and
they will be involved in Participatory Community Capacity Development.
Community Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP)
In an attempt to create community awareness before setting up CBDP systems, CBDP
training has been imparted to youth, adolescent girls and women in 24 villages . CBDP
training for teachers was conducted on for 33 teachers of two education blocks. As an
aftermath of the training school evacuation map is being done in schools.
The next step of forming Village Development Committees to be empowered to take on
the process is being implemented in 8 villages.
Post Tsunami Tamilnadu Floods
In November 2005 floods, NLHMB-ADEPT covered 40 flood-affected villages in
Cuddalore and Chidambaram taluks on request from the District Administration , and
treated 10,615 villagers (2858 men, 4247 women and 3510 children). Common disorders
treated were respiratory infections, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, anaemia, and fungal
infections of the foot. In addition, flood affected patients also attended the out patient
clinic at NLHMB-ADEPT’s community development health centre at Cuddalore. In
addition Community sanitation activities were carried out with the help of the Village
Youth to prevent water and vector borne diseases.
EARTHQUAKE AFFECTED AREAS IN KASHMIR:
NLHMB started up healthcare outreach operations in Quake affected Kashmir on 21
October 2006 in collaboration with the St. Joseph’s hospital. Baramullah. The medical
camps was planned for 24 villages up to Feb 2006. However, the civil administration
having found the medical camp being effective requested NLHMB-ADEPT to expand it’s
activities to other remote and inaccessible villages. Then, the civil administration of
Kupwara District requested NLHMB-ADEPT along with the Pradesh congress committee
president, Kupwara, to conduct medical camps at Tangdar areas. Accordingly a team
consisting of ten members were positioned at Tangdar. In response to the needs of
women, an all women medical team barring male porters were inducted in Uri –
Baramulla areas to conduct medical camps exclusively for women. The capacity of
St.Josephs’s hospital was built up. A total of 95 villages with a population of about
1,59,055 (31,811 families) benefited and 38,036 patients were treated.
Balia camp – A Refugee camp consisting of members of nine villages was identified for
providing Medicare. Special camps were conducted for the inmates of this refugee
camps. Hygiene and sanitation training was also conducted based on assessment.
Youth from Kashmir were brought to chennai and trained on counselling and various
core Building Capacity related activities. 10 members were trained for a periods of 5
days including field research and experience visit to the tsunami affected areas of
cuddalore. Experience sharing was also done.
To build healthcare capacity, Dhai (Mid-wives) training was conducted at both UriBaramulla as well as Tangdar areas. 33 number of Dhais were trained. To make them
effective as village health attendants first aid kits were given to them for performing their
duties. The Dais were trained as Social Health Attendants. Each dhai then trained 5
women in villages. They were all supplied with first aid kits. Refills for these for another
6 months were handed over to the CMO who in turn has handed them of to the Block
medical officer Uri-Baramulla.
Income generation training in candle making was conducted at Balia Camp and at
Tangdar. Men and women were trained in candle making. Candle moulds and wax was
handed over to them free of cost. Marketing techniques have also been given to them to
sustain the project. Embroidery is an art known to the kashmiries, two sewing machines
along with embroidering gadgets were provided to them. They were tied up into existinf
Government schemes for sustainability.
Psychosocial training, compiling of counselling and capacity building training was
completed in Uri-Baramulla and Tangdar areas. Psychosocial training was also
conducted in various schools of Uri-Baramulla.
Regular liaison meetings were attended by the team with the local administration and the
army authorities under whose Jurisdiction the teams were functioning.
IV.Community Research Education Information & Training Center
In Feb 2006 a Community Research Education Information & Training Center was set
up to initiate research . The centre conducts training for capacity building, Community
Based Disaster Preparedness, and skill building of villagers, workshops and seminars
for knowledge management, and research into various area.

Knowledge management:
o Workshop on Disaster Preparedness – A perspective on the role of
volunteers – on 6-7 September 2006
o International Workshop on Disaster Response Coordination - 30 June
2006
o Workshop on Role of Research in Post-disaster Sustainable Community
Development - 27 March 2006
o International Seminar on Review of Interventions in Disasters 2005 - Feb
3 & 4 2006
o Workshop on Transition From Relief to Recovery, Colombo - 25 & 26 Aug
2005
o Workshop Asia-Pacific Congress on Disaster Mitigation 2005 – April 1 &
2, 2005
o Needs Assessment survey conducted in collaboration with the University
of Madras, Department of Sociology
o Focus Group Analysis on needs of women

Training Modules for publication:
o
o
o
o
Handbook for Community Counsellor Trainers (published)
Module on CBDP (On the process)
Safety Colouring activity book for children (in process)
Community Health Passport (in process)
V.Consultancy:
The NLHMB assists Lutheran and other churches in India in its healing ministry.
NLHMB also provides consultancy and advisory services to mission hospitals. The
Executive Director,NLHMB is instrumental in reviving many mission hospitals and
helping them to upgrade the services to become self reliant. With the two universities the
NLHMB will be able to help mission hospitals to trained health care professionals .
Dr.K.M.Shyamprasad
Executive Director
Email Id: shyamprasad@nlhmb.in
Website: www.nlhmb.in